CMU football team donates more than $1,000 to Community Compassion Network

Seniors from CMU's Football program present a check for $1,131.30 to the Community Compassion Network outside of the red food barn Wed. May 28. The money was gathered by teammates and then matched by their coach. "This will help feed about 200 families," says CCN Interim Director Faye Schaeffer. (Taryn Wattles | Staff Photographer)

Nearly 200 families in need will be able to feed their loved ones thanks to a sizable donation from the Central Michigan University football team Wednesday.

Head coach Dan Enos accompanied 16 players as the Chippewas presented the Community Compassion Network of Mount Pleasant a check for $1,131.30 at the Community Food Bank located at 2420 E. Broomfield Road.

Each player on the team was asked by Enos to donate $5 to the cause. However, many of the players gave more than the requested amount. Enos then matched the total amount raised by his players, which equated to $565.

"We weren't going to make (the players) do anything," Enos said. "The guys wanted to. I think this is just one example of the kind of student athletes we have at CMU. These are all good young men who wanted to make a difference in this community."

The effort to raise the money started when Enos' staff reached out to interim CCN Director Faye Schaeffer. Schaeffer visited the football team soon after to speak about the importance of giving back to the community and all that the food bank does for families that have fallen on hard times.

The players were each given a dime and instructed to hold on to it. The Chippewas were told that one dime pays for a pound of food at the bank. Several of the players kept the dime in their playbooks or lockers as the ventured off to raise the money.

"It just sort of spread throughout the locker room," said senior quarterback Cody Kater. "We can do so much if we all just help out a little. We (on the football team) are all very fortune to be Division-I athletes. We all have a brotherhood mentality. This was a good way for us to give back."

Schaeffer estimated the food bank hands out 40 pounds of food per day.

"These young men are all wonderful people, you can just see it on their faces," she said. "They realize there is a real need in this community. It really speaks to the character on the team."